Electrically actuated floor care appliance having a fluid or pneumatic control arrangement

ABSTRACT

A floor care appliance is provided in which remote actuation of the same is accomplished by hand manipulation of a button or the like mounted on the handle or wand of the floor care appliance. Hand manipulation of the button provides a pressure pulse which initiates cleaning action of the floor care appliance.

United States Patent [1 1 Coons [54] ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED FLOOR CARE APPLIANCE HAVING A FLUID OR PNEUMATIC CONTROL ARRANGEMENT [75] Inventor: Charles C. Coons, Laguna Hills,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,151

7 [52] US. Cl. 200/83 Z, 200/83 D, 200/340, ZOO/61.54, 15/D1G. 10, 200/82 C Int. Cl. H01h 35/38 Field of Search 200/81 H, 82 C, 83 Z, 153 L, 200/153 LA, 153 T, 153 1,157,159 R, 160, 61.54, 34, 328, 329, 340, 83 C, 83 J, 83 D; 15/49 R, 98, 143 R, 143 A, 250.12, DIG. 10

5: MET-"M ami Mar. 25, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,492,261 12/1949 Bordelon 200/82 C 2,616,114 11/1952 Kroenlein 200/52 R 2,935,894 5/1960 Coronado-Ame 200/153 J 3,261,958 7/1966 Bittner 200/82 C 3,414,693 12/1968 Watson 200/153 LA 3,417,470 12/1968 Damon 200/157 3,639,714 2/1972 Fujim0t0.. 200/153 J 3,671,694 6/1972 Masuda 200/83 Z Primary Examiner-Simmons G. R. Assistant Examiner-Gerald P. Tolin [57] ABSTRACT A floor care appliance is provided in which remote actuation of the same is accomplished by hand manipulation of a button or the like mounted on the handle or wand of the floor care appliance. Hand manipulation of the button provides a pressure pulse which initiates cleaning action of the floor care appliance.

7 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTED 5 5 SHEET 3 BF 9 PATEFJTEU I 3 73 790 SHEET 9 UP 272 I FIG. |9

68 FIG. 20

272 214 I I90 I88 268 FIG. 2|

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to floor care appliances and,

more specifically, relates to a floor care appliance having remote pneumatic actuation of its cleaning function.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is old and well known to provide pneumatic actuation of switch elements, the same being taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,168,487. It is also known to utilize a remote actuation system for a cleaner. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,243,067, 2,534,400 and 2,616,] l4 are examples of such prior art. However, these known prior art devices suffer at least partially from some deficiency or limitation. More specifically, the floor care appliance illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,243,067 is an upright cleaner having a rod-like member actuated by a handle trigger, with the rod-like member, in turn, initiating cleaning action. However, such an actuation arrangement cannot be utilized, because of its rigid configuration, in a canister cleaner, for example, since the wand or handle member in a canister cleaner normally is spaced from the cleaner housing by a flexible housmg.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,400 describes a pneuamtically actuated upright cleaner in which user arm motions, imparted to the handle of this cleaner, creates a force moving an actuating fluid from a first bellows into a second bellows that initiates cleaner action through the closing of an electric switch. Again, obviously, such an arrangement could not be utilized in a canister cleaner since it requires a handle which is rigidly mounted for pivotal movement relative to the cleaner housing.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,6l6,l l4 discloses a canister cleaner -having substantially remote actuation in that movement of the cleaner hose in an upright direction tends to tilt the canister housing so that a switch mounted on its bottom side engages the floor and initiates cleaning action. Such a configuration, of course, again requires distinct movement of the operators arms and is at times somewhat awkward because of limited clearance around the cleaner caused by objects which intrude into this area so as to prevent proper tipping manipulation of the canister cleaner housing.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide remote actuation for a floor care appliance in which manipulative effort by the operator was minimized to that of a finger or the thumb and yet an actuation system flexible enough so as to be utilized with either canister, stick or upright cleaner configuration, or for that matter, any other type of floor care appliance.

Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide this remote actuation by a fluid or pnuematic system, thus eliminating actuating cables or linkages, thrust rods, the requirement of fixedly mounted handles or the possibility of shock occasioned by an electric switch remote from the cleaner housing, itself.

It would be further advantageous to provide a pneumatically or fluid actuated floor care appliance so that short pulses or impulses from remote finger manipulation would establish or disestablish floor care appliance action with no required recourse to a remote electric switch location and the requisite electrical connections for the same located close to the user of the floor care appliance in the handle, wand or flexible hose of the floor care appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is provided in a canister cleaner as exemplary ofa floor care appliance, with the same including an electrical switch mounted on the canister housing that is actuated either manually at the housing or remotely through a pulsing mechanism located on the wand, handle or flexible hose extending from the canister cleaner.

On one embodiment of the invention, the pulse mechanism includes a button-operated piston mounted at the remote location that is capable of easy manual manipulation by the thumb or fingers of the user of the floor care appliance. Connected to the button'operated piston is a flexible conduit or relatively small size which extends between the buttonoperated piston and the housing for the cleaner, per se. This conduit may be mounted with the flexible suction hose extending between the handle or wand and the housing for the canister cleaner by providing a protective sheath that extends over both the pneumatic pulse conduit and the suction hose so that the protective sheath, in effect, forms an integral part of the flexible hose. Thus, movmemnt of the suction hose during a cleaning operation engenders a concurrent motion of the pneumatic conduit with it, conforming to the suction hose so that no additional entanglement will occur due to the pneumatic conduit which the user of the appliance must guard against.

The flexible tubing of the pneumatic pulse conduit terminates in a suction coupling fitting adjacent the termination of the suction hose at the cleaner housing, with a passageway formed through this fitting comprised of a rigid tubular member that merges confluently into a small bore of substantially the same diame ter as the pneumatic impulse tube. The small bore, in turn, terminates in a groove of segmental arcuate shape to make provision for possible misaligment between the suction hose coupling fitting and the fitting with which it is coupled, mounted on the canister cleaner housing. The coupling fitting mounted on the canister cleaner housing includes a bore which is placed in confronting relationship to the groove of segmental arcuate shape when the hose is mounted to the cleaner housing so that pneumatic pulses can be transmitted from the button-operated piston through the pneumatic pulse conduit to the bore in the suction tube coupling fitting mounted on the cleaner housing.

A second pneumatic pulse conduit, also flexible in nature, includes a bore in the housing fitting and extends from the housing tube coupling fitting around the canister cleaner, the flexible tubing being nested within a flange of a medial housing section of the canister cleaner hose so as to enter the cleaner housing proper adjacent the hinge connection between an upper and the medial housing sections of the canister cleaner. The second pneumatic pulse conduit then extends within the cleaner housing, between a cord reel provided for the canister cleaner and the remainder of the cleaner housing to a control console for the cleaner that includes a manually actuated button for electrical switch actuation so as to turn the cleaner on and off.

Since the pneumatic impulse conduits essentially carry only pressure impulses in one direction (towards a switch mechanism) the switching mechanism comprises a push-push structure so that initiation of the button-operated piston cycles the electric switch, through the push-push structure, between on and off conditions. In the first embodiment of the invention this push-push structure is separate from the electric switch and includes an over-center pawl arrangement so that initiation of the push-push structure on two separate occasions (in the same direction) causes the re quired on-off condition for the canister cleaner. Initiation of the push-push structure is occasioned by a piston mounted adjacent to the console and confluently connected to the second pneumatic conduit, with the piston moving in its cylinder, upon impulse, to provide a reciprocating force to the push-push mechanism.

In the second embodiment of the invention a compressible squeeze bulb replaces the button-operated piston, with this bulb providing a similar impulse to motivate the electric switch that turns the canister cleaner on and off. Additionally, thesecond embodiment of the invention utilizes an expanding bellows at the cleaner housing which, in turn, motivates a push-push structure that is contained integrally in a push-push electric on and off switch for the canister cleaner. Obviously, the structure of the second embodiment of the invention still comprehends the overall concept thereof including the attendant advantages accruing from remote pneumatic or fluidic actuation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, both as to its organization and function, with the illustration being of the preferred embodiments but only exemplary, and in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canister cleaner incorporating the first embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the same cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cleaner with certain parts broken away to show the invention more clearly;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the cleaner in the area of the control console showing the push-push structure and the hose coupling arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 5 is generally a cross-sectional elevational view of the hose coupling arrangement of the invention taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but looking in the opposite direction and taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is generally a cross-sectional elevational view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 4 and showing the inserting engagement of the suction hose and pneumatic pulse conduit in their coupling fitting;

FIG.-8 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the intersection of the wand or handle portion and flexible suction hose and showing the button-actuated piston;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken on line '99 of FIG. 3 and showing the second pneumatic pulse conduit arrangement adjacent the hinge for the canister cleaner housing;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the push-push structure and electric switch in one position of operation;

FIG. 11 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10 showing the push-push structure in the same position of operation;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the push-push structure and electric switch in another of their positions of operation;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken on line 1313 of FIG. 12 and showing the pushpush structure in the same position of operation;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the push-push structure and electric switch in a third position of their operation;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the push-push structure and electric switch when in a fourth position of their operation;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIGS. 13 and 15 but showing the fourth position of operation;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are views of the push-push switch mechanism utilized in the alternate embodiment of the invention and showing it in its various positions of operation;

and

FIG. 23 is a view of the push-push switching mechanism taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the apendant drawings, it can be seen that a canister cleaner 10 is provided having a housing 11 comprised of a medial housing section 12, an upper housing section 14, a lower housing section 16 and a medallion section 18, with these sections cooperating to form the canister cleaner 10. Conveniently disposed therein is a motor 20 which provides the driving force for a fan system 22 having a pair of fans 24 and 26 so that the cleaner 10 provides high performance which is so essential in todays commercial context.

-A housing coupling fitting 28 communicates with the interior of the canister cleaner housing 11, with the same'being mounted on the medial housing section 12 so that it communicates with a chamber 30 within the housing 11 in which is disposed a conventional dirtcollecting bag 32. The flow of cleaning air is through housing coupling fitting 28, the dirt-collecting bag 32 and from thence to the motor 20 to provide cooling thereof, with this air being motivated by the fans 24 and 26.

In order to reduce the discharge temperature of air moving outwardly of the cleaner, an auxiliary flow'of air as indicated by the flow arrows in FIG. 2 is taken in through the lower housing section 16 by the viscous" fan created by the backside of the fan 24 or by the tabs (not shown) which mount the impeller blades on the fan 24 to its back-mounting plate, so that it passes into the fan system 22 to be mixed with the high tempera ture discharge air from the fan 24. A relatively cool flow of air is then discharged from the cleaner 10 through a slot 34 formed between the bottom of the medial housing section 12 and the lower housing section 16. The discharge temperature is, of course, sufficiently low to eliminate the possibility of heat injury to the user, the surroundings or the floor on which the canister cleaner is disposed.

A hinge 36 mounts the upper housing section 14 to the medial housing section 12 so that the canister cleaner 10 may be opened and the dirt-collecting bag 32 replaced when necessary. Formed in the upper housing section 14 is a well 37 which may be utilized, if desired, for the storage of cleaning tools or the like. Above the well 37 and disposed between the upper housing section 14 and the medallion section 18 is a cord reel 38. This cord reel conveniently carries a cord 40 which may be unreeled by the user of the cleaner 10 and plugged into a handy wall outlet (not shown) to provide electrical power for the cleaner 10.

Canister cleaner 10 also includes a handle 42 fixedly attached to the medial housing portion 12 and providing a grasping means so that the cleaner 10 may be pulled along a floor or carried in a manner similar to a suitcase. In order to provide for ease in transport of cleaner 10, a pair of larger rollers 44, 44 are mounted on the cleaner at the rearward portion thereof and a single small caster wheel 46 is mounted in the front portion of the cleaner so that a three-point floorengaging arrangement is provided.

A suction regulating system 48 is provided in the medallion section 18 of the canister cleaner, with the same including a series of three buttons 50, 52 and 54 shaped so as to provide a camming action to a pair of slide members 56 and 58 to move these members perpendicularly relative to the axis of the buttons to cover or uncover ports (not shown) provided in the upper housing section 14 of the cleaner 10 to permit ambient, bleed air to flow into the chamber 30 and thus provide the cleaner 10 with varied suction regulation. It should be noted that, because of the arrowhead configuration of buttons 50, 52 and 54 and the corresponding angled ramps on the slides 56 and 58, that each button offers a self-concelling feature so that actuation of any one of the buttons 50, 52 and 54 forces the other two of the buttons to an upper, inoperative position. The button 50 is shown in FIG. 2 in the operative position.

In so far as related, the general arrangement of the canister cleaner 10 is conventional, although the specific atmospheric bleed furnished by the buttons 50, 52 and 54 is not known as old; nor is the auxiliary air cooling stream furnished the cleaner considered as old. The instant inventive aspects of the cleaner 10, however, deal with and contemplate the use ofa push-push structure mounted in the housing of the cleaner 10 and with the same being inter-related to an electric housingmounted switch so that actuation of the push-push structure may be accomplished remotely through the aegis of a fluidic or pneumatic means.

More specifically, the push-push mechanism, structure or means 60 (e.g., FIG. 4) is motivated by a pressure pulse or impulse that is carried by a first pressure pulse conduit 64 mounted to and carried by a suction hose 66 that engages with the suction coupling fitting 28 and with the suction hose having, conveniently, a handle, wand or hose tube 68 attached thereto so that cleaning tools or the like may be mounted on the end of the handle, wand or hose tube 68 for various cleaning operations by the user of the canister cleaner 10.

A second pressure pulse conduit 70 extends around and within the cleaner l0 and is connected to the pushpush mechanism structure or means 60 that initiates energization of the same. The momentary impulse or pressure wave, carried by the first and second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70, is created by a buttonoperated piston means 72 that is shown mounted on the wand 68 proximate its connection to the suction hose 66. Thus, creation of a pressure surge or pulse by the button-operated piston means 72 provides a pressure wave flowing through the first pressure pulse conduit 64 and the second pressure pulse conduit to the push-push mechanism or means 60 so that a user of the cleaner 10 may turn it on and off at the remote wand location, as desired. At the same time, manual manipulation of a manual switch button 74, mounted on the medallion housing section 18, will accomplish the same purpose, with this manual switch button also operating through the push-push mechanism, structure or means 60 to energize and de-energize the canister cleaner 10.

The pneumatic or fluidic actuating system (air is used in actual practice) will now be described specifically, starting at the user end of the canister cleaner 10. Hand-operated piston means 72 (FIG. 8) is mounted in handle portion 76 of the wand or hose tube 68, with the handle portion 76 providing a convenient grasping arrangement to facilitate use of the cleaner l0 and any cleaning tools (not shown) attached to the remote noncleaner end of the hose tube 68.

Handle portion 76 is formed by a handle housing 78 mounted fixed with respect to the hose tube 68 and comprising generally hose tube housing part 80 and a hose connector part 82. The hose tube housing part 80 is substantially cylindrical and slightly downwardly bent in shape with an enlarged bulbous portion 84 integral therewith disposed in the upper half of the hose tube housing part 80. A rivet 85 fixedly connects the hose tube housing part 80 to the wand or hose tube 68 so that the handle portion 76 and hose tube 68 act as a single element during the cleaning function. The upper side (adjacent the cleaner) of the enlarged bul bous portion 84 of the hose tube housing part 80 is terminated angularly to provide an angularly disposed abutting surface 86 against which is oppositely inclined abutting surface 88 on the hose connector part 82 engages.

In order to hold the hose tube housing part 80 and hose connector part 82 in this disposition, the hose connector part 82 includes a pair of tabs 90 (only one shown) whose radial outer surfaces are inwardly offset relative to the general inner periphery of the hose connector part 82. These tabs extend arcuately and axially so as to lie along a pair of grooves 92, 92 formed on the internal periphery of the hose tube housing part 80. The hose connector part 82 also includes a partially radially inwardly offset section 94 that extends generally axially so as to be telescopically received within the hose tube housing part 80 and around hose tube 68. the assembly of these two elements in this manner insures a relatively tight interfitting handle housing, however, insertive mounting of the suction hose 66 to this housing further insures that the housing will not separate.

Disposed on the end of the suction hose 66, proximate to the handle housing 78, in a hose connector collar 96 which takes the form of a hollow cylinder having a radially extending circular flange 98. The outer diameter of the cylinder is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the suction hose 66 for ease in insertion, while the outer diameter of the flange 98 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the suction hose 66 so that both may be easily assembled in the handle housing 78. A felt gasket 100, of slightly larger outside diameter, is captured between the flange 98 and the termination of the suction hose 66, with this gasket sealing the gap between flange 98 and the end of suction hose 66. with the flange 98, in turn, abutting against a roughly annular facing surface 102 internally located in the hose connector part.

In order that the suction hose 66 remain in assembled condition relative to handle housing 78, a hose crimp ring 104 is provided. This ring is of split configuration and may include a living hinge (not shown) at its bottom for easy encompassing assembly around the suction hose 66. The hose crimping ring is less than a full circumference to provide a gap 106 at its top that accommodates a bulge occasioned by a part of the first pressure pulse conduit 64 and includes an inner periphery 108 having a helix surface so as to conform to the outer helix surface of suction hose 66. Hose crimping ring 104 also includes a pair of integral, molded diametrically opposed pins 110 (only one shown) that extend radially outwardly from the outer periphery of crimping ring 104. These pins are received in corresponding shaped bores 112 (only one shown) formed,

in hose tube housing part 80.

In more detail, the suction hose 66 and handle housing 78 are assembled in the following manner. First, the hose connector collar 96 and felt gasket 100 are assembled to the end of the suction hose 66, then the hose connector part 82 is inserted into the hose tube housing part 80. The hose crimp ring 104 is disposed around the end of the suction hose 66 and it and the suction hose are inserted compressingly into the already assembled hose tube housing'part 80 and against hose connector part 82 until the now deformed pins 110 snap into the bores 112 in the hose tube housing part/The entire assembly of the handle housing 78 and suction hose 66 is then maintained in attached condition by the interengagement of the pins 110 in the bores 112 and also the outward expanding force of crimp ring 104 and suction hose 66 against the handle housing elements.

As set out previously, the motive force for controlling the on-off operation of the canister cleaner is supplied by the button-operated piston means 72 which is also mounted to and within the handle housing 78. Button-operated piston 72 includes a manual button 113 having a generally cylindrical portion 114 and a button portion 116 at and integral to its rear termination. The button portion, exteriorly, is shaped so as to make easy user manipulation thereof to either energize or deenergize the canister cleaner 10. The cylindrical portion 114 is, of course, closed at its front end and open at its rear to form a cylinder that cooperates with a stationary piston 118. A biasing spring 120 is disposed between the piston l18 and the closed front end of cylindrical portion 114 to constantly urge the cylindrical portion 114 and its integral button portion 116 forwardly (rightwardly) into the position shown in FIG. 8.

As also can be easily seen, movement of cylindrical portion 114 rearwardly from its FIG. 8 position, through user pressure on button portion 116, will tend to move the cylindrical portion. into telescoping engagement over the stationary piston 118, thus providing a collapsing chamber 121 between the front end of the stationary piston 118 and the closed front end of cylindrical portion 114. The air compressed by such movement moves through a central bore 122 provided in stationary piston 118 and extending centrally, axially along its length. Central bore 122 receives, at its rear end, in generally sealing relationship, a short, rigid, hollow tube piece 126 that also extends rearwardly (leftwardly) from the stationary piston 118 and juts outwardly therefrom to connect to a first flexible, hollow tube 128 that is mounted with suction hose 66 and provides, along with short, hollow tube 126, a conduit means for the flow of pressure pulses, waves or impulses towards the canister cleaner 10.

Although the assembly of the handling housing 78 to the suction hose 66 was described without consideration of the button-operated piston means 72 and the conduit means attached thereto, it is to be understood that these structures are all easily assembled at the same time to the handle housing and suction hose. More specifically, the short, rigid tube is made a part of the suction hose 66, hose connector collar 96 and felt gasket subassembly prior to assembly of the hose and handle housing by inserting the same in a sealing manner on the end of the flexible tubing 128. In a similar way, the manual button 113, biasing spring and stationary piston 118 are made a part of the hose tube housing part 80 and hose connector part 82 subassembly by insertion of the same in order related into the front open end of the hose tube housing part 80 before its connection to the hose connector part 82. Thus, an easy, convenient manufactured assemblage is had which provides many of the needed components of a pneumatic or fluidic cleaner actuating arrangement.

As set out previously, first pressure pulse conduit 64 is carried by suction hose 66 or, more specifically, the suction hose 66 carries that part of first pressure pulse conduit 64 comprising flexible tubing 128 (FIGS. 4 and 8). This is accomplished in the following manner. Suction hose 66 is substantially conventional and includes at the boundary of its interior wall, coiled spring 130, formed in the manner of a helix and extending for the length of suction hose 66. A vinyl covering 132 is extruded over the coiled spring 130 to form a unitary wall therewith so that they coact togehter to provide the needed flexibility for the hose 66. Disposed over the outside of the vinyl coating 132 is a nylon scrim sleeve, with this sleeve being united to the vinyl coating by the application of a second vinyl coating 134 and heat to unify all the components of suction hose 66.

Such a hose is substantially conventional and is well known in the art. However, the flexible tubing 128 must also be a part of the suction hose 66. In order to mount flexible tubing 128 to suction hose 66 one additional step is taken during hose manufacture. Prior to the application of the nylon scrim sleeve and second vinyl coating 134, the flexible tubing 128 is laid along the vinyl coating 132 so that the same extends parallel to the axis of the hose 66. The aforementioned nylon sleeve is placed over the vinyl coating 132 and the flexible tubing 128 and heat is applied with the second vinyl coating 134 to bond the primary hose elements and flexible tubing, one to the other.

The end of the suction hose 66 adjacent the canister cleaner 10 terminates in a suction coupling fitting 135 (FIG. 4). This fitting is mounted to the suction hose 66 in a manner quite similar to that of the handle housing 78. A coupling 136 of suction coupling fitting 135 having a generally annular configuration, save for a peaked portion 138 that accommodates flexible tubing 128, is mounted on the end of suction hose 66. The coupling 136 includes a pair of transverse bores 140 (only one shown) and the male member 142 of a bayonet coupling arrangement 144. Received in the bores 140 are a pair of diametrically opposed pins 146 (only one shown with lateral section rotated to bottom) that are integral with a second split hose crimping ring 148, identical to hose crimping ring 104. Also a second hose connection collar 150 and second felt gasket 152 are utilized so that the suction coupling fitting 135 is securely held in sealing relationship to suction hose 66.

First pressure pulse conduit 64 extends through and terminates at the cleaner end of suction coupling fitting 135 in the following manner (FIGS. 4-7). Flexible tubing 128 extends into the peaked portion 138 of coupling 136 to be confluently connected to a short rigid tube 154 that is, in turn, confluently connected to an axially extending bore 156 provided in a tube seal 158. Tube seal 158 is annular and is received sealingly in another axially extending bore 160, coaxial with bore 156 and formed in coupler 136, with the bore 160 gradually necking down so as to form a smaller diameter bore 162 extending towards the terminating at the cleaner end of the coupler 136. At a flange 163, formed by the termination of coupler 136, a segmental, arcuate groove 164 communicates with the axially extending bore 162.

The segmental arcuate groove 164 makes allowance for some misalignment between the termination of a first pressure pulse conduit 64 and the beginning of the second pressure pulse conduit 70, in the event that the suction coupling fitting 135 and the housing coupling fitting 28 are engaged with some slight imperfection between the alignment of axially extending bore 162 is coupler 136 and a similar axially extending bore 166 in housing coupling fitting 28. The axially extending bore 166 is, of course, confluently connected with the segmental arcuate groove in coupler 136.

Within the housing coupling fitting, bore 166 merges with a transverse bore 168 that extends to and terminates on the arcuate periphery of housing coupling fitting 28. Outwardly of the housing coupling fitting 28, a short rigid tube 170 provides for easy connection to a second flexible tubing 172 of second pressure pulse conduit 70. The rigid tube 170 also extends inwardly into the housing coupling fitting so as to sealingly engage within the transverse bore 168 and provide a fluid or pneumatic flow path therebetween, as a part of the second pressure pulse conduit 70.

Second flexible tubing 172 extends generally upwardly from rigid tube 170 so that the same can pass into and along a turned-over flange 174 of medial housing section 12. It should be noted here that the housing coupling fitting 28 is mounted to the canister cleaner housing 11 in substantial diametric opposition to the hinge 36 and that the second flexible tubing 172 passes into the cleaner housing 11 proximate the hinge 36. Thus, the second flexible tubing extends around the canister cleaner 10, within the turned-over flange 174, for about one-half of its circumference before entrance to the cleaner housing proper (FIG. 9) at opeing 176, between the upper housing section 14 and medallion section 18.

Flexible tubing 172 then passes along the top side of upper housing section 14 in a groove (not shown) formed in a brush block plate 179 for cord reel 138 (FIG. 2), with a bent-up tab 178 in the brush block plate 179 permitting this passage. This brush block plate serves as an insulating member between the cord reel 38 and electrical connections for the cord 40, disposed inwardly thereof relative to the housing, and also as a guard to prevent entanglement of the cord 40 in the event that the same is loosely received on the cord reel 38. Another bent-up tab 180 (FIG. 4) permits the flexible tubing 172 to emerge from between the upper housing section 14 and medallion section 18 so that the same may be connected to the push-push mechanism 60.

Push-push mechanism or means can best be seen in FIGS. 10 17. As can be seen in these figures, the second flexible tubing 172 extends to and is confluently connected with a second piston means 182, forming a portion of push-push mechanism 60. Piston means 182 conventionally includes a piston cylinder 184 and a piston 186, with the cylinder 184 being that part in communication with second pressure pulse conduit through piston means tube 188, sealed with the end closure of cylinder 184. Thus, pulses, impulses or pressure surges imposed on the first and second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70 will tend to move piston 186 rightwardly relative to cylinder 184 to change the pulses or a pulse to longitudinal movement.

Piston means 182 also includes a housing 190 that fixedly supports the cylinder 184 at one of its ends and fixedly supports an abutment member 192 at the other of its ends, with this abutment member being upward standing to provide a means against which a piston biasing spring 194 bears so that the spring is, at all times, compressed to thereby urge the piston 186 oppositely to the pressure surges imposed thereon. A piston rod 196 extends axially between the piston 186 and abutment member 192, with the same being pushably connected, at one end, to the piston so that it duplicates its movement. The other end of the piston rod 196 is mounted to reciprocate in an axially extending bore 198 passing through the abutment member. A stepped portion 200 on the piston rod 196 provides a shoulder 202 against which biasing spring 194 bears so that is acts between the piston 186 and abutment member 192 without having to extend the full distance therebetween.

Mounted rigid with and on one side of piston rod 196 is a pawl-engaging and camming member 204, with the same being disposed in substantially upright manner relative to piston rod 196 and affording, in this position, a leading edge 206 that is angularly disposed relative to a line perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod 196 so that the leading edge 206 is further forward (rightward) at its bottom extent than at its top extent.

Mounted on the opposite side of piston rod 196 is a switch-engaging cam plate means 208 that extends generally horizontal and parallel relative to an axis of piston rod 196. Switch-engaging cam plate means 208 includes, at its outer edge, a straight, trail section 210 and an angular lead section 212 that gradually tapers from the trail section inwardly until it, in effect, merges with piston rod 196. The switch-engaging cam plate means 208 is the structure which functionally operates to turn on and off a single-pole, single-throw switch 214 by engagement with and depression of a switch button 216.

Single-pole, single-throw switch 214 is mounted, conveniently, on piston housing means 190 so as to be in a fixed relationship relative to the operating portion of push-push mechanism means 60. This switch is entirely conventional in makeup so that no further description of it is offered, it being sufficient for an understanding of the invention to note only that depression of the switch button 216 places its contacts in closed condition so that the switch 214 is on" and permitting the switch button 216 to move outwardly, due to its own spring bias, opens the switch contacts and renders the switch 214 off." Thus, the illustrated position of switch button 116 in FIGS. and 11 necessitates that the switch 114 be "of A pawl 218, also mounted on the piston housing means 190, is free to rotate with a shaft 220, journalled in a side member 222 ofthe piston housing means 190. The pawl 218 is located so that the same is contacted by the pawl-engaging and camming means 204 upon movement of the piston rod 196 reciprocatorily. A pair I of V-shaped grooves 223, 223 are formed in the pawl 218 on its ends, the purpose of which will soon become apparent.

Also mounted fixed with piston rod 196 is a latch cam 224 with the same being mounted at the bottom portion of the piston rod and extending longitudinally relative to the axis of the piston rod 196. Latch cam 224 includes a sharp 90 corner 226 that acts as a blocking means to prevent spring biased return of the piston rod 196 during some of the modes of operation of push-push mechanism 60.

The initiation of operation of the canister cleaner 10 should now be apparent. With the piston rod 196, pawlengaging and camming means 204 and the pawl 218 in the position illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the handlemounted, button-operated piston means 72 is momentarily operated against its biasing spring 120 to provide a pressure surge in the first and then the second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70. This pressure surge provides an expansive force against the second piston means 182 moving the piston rod 196 to the right. Such movement causes engagement of the pawl-engaging and camming means 204 with the pawl 218 thereby turning the pawl 218 clockwise approximately 30. At this intermediate position (FIGS. 12 and 13), switchengaging means 208 has cammingly depressed (through angular lead section 212) switch button 216 to place the switch 214 in an on condition. Upon completion of the pressure surge, the pawl 218 remains in the turned position of FIGS. 12 and 13, but the piston rod 196 moves leftwardly due to the unbalanced force of biasing spring 194. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, this leftward movement is halted by jamming engagement of the latch cam 224 with a V shaped groove 223 on pawl 218. In this arrested position, switch button 216 is still maintained depressed by straight trail section 210 or slope 212 of switch-engaging cam means 208 so that the canister cleaner 10 remains in an on condition.

Upon a second pressure surge, as intitiated by handle-mounted manual switch button 113, the piston rod 196 again moves rightwardly, with the pawl-engaging and camming member 204 again engaging pawl 218 to move it clockwise (FIGS. 16 and 17). Such turning is of a sufficient amount, so that, upon leftward springbiased movement of piston rod 196, after cessation of the pressure pulse, latch cam 224 again engages pawl 218 rotating it further clockwise to a non-jamming position (e.g., FIG. 11) so that there is no cessation of leftward movement of piston rod 196 so that the same again assumes the position of FIGS. 10 and 11 with the switch 214 of Means are also provided to interlink the cleanermounted manually-operated switch button 72 to the push-push mechanism so that manual switch 74 also has a push-push characteristic. An upstanding tab 228 is mounted integrally with switch-engaging cam means 208 with the vertical extent of this tab being sufficient to place its topmost edge above the uppermost extent of piston rod 196. Manual button 74 may include a rectangular depression (-not shown) on its bottomsidc. This depression telescopically receives upstanding tab 228 so as to mount manual button 74 to the push-push mechanism. Actuation of this button, then, is in a similar push-push motion.

A second species of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 18 23. Therein it can be seen that like numerals have been utilized for like elements and primed numerals have been utilized for altered elements.

A canister cleaner 10' as shown in FIG. 18 includes a housing 11, a handle 42, wheels 44 and 46 and suction hose 66. The canister cleaner 10', similar to the canister cleaner 10, also includes a motor, fan system, dirt-collecting bag, etc., (not shown) to render the cleaner 10' an operative structure with the ability to clean rugs and floors in a manner similar to canister cleaner 10.

A push-push mechanism 60 is again operative to turn the cleaner 10' on and off as initiated by a pressure pulse traveling from a handle housing 78' through first pressure pulse conduit 64' and second pressure pulse conduit Such a pressure pulse is created by a squeeze bulb 230 which may depend on air leakage or be provided with a one-way inlet valve (not shown) so that the squeeze bulb 230 will easily re-expand due to its own inherent resiliency that in effect" serves as a spring means after momentaritly being squeezed by the cleaner user to initiate or interrupt cleaner action. The squeeze bulb 230 is connected to the first pressure pulse conduit 64' in any convenient, conventional manner within handle housing 78 and then the pressure pulse conduit 64' is connected to the suction hose 66 in a manner exactly like that of the first embodiment so that it extends along and vonforms to the suction hose 66.

The connnection of the first pressure pulse conduit 64' within the'coupler 136 is shown only schematically but may utilize a similar arrangement to that of the first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the second pressure pulse conduit 70' extends within housing coupling fitting 28 and around and into the cleaner 10 in a'manner exactly like the first embodiment. Thus, a circuit is complete for the passage of pressure pulses from squeeze bulb 230 to push-push mechanism 60'.

Push-push mechanism 60 is best seen in FIGS. 19 23 and includes a rigid tube 188 that is fixed to a housing means 190 and extends outwardly thereof for easy connection to second pressure pulse conduit 70. Inwardly of the housing 190 the rigid tube 188 confluently connects to a bellows 232 that is linearly expandible in response to contraction a pressure pulse) of the squeeze bulb 230.

The expanding motion of bellows 232 is transferred to an actuating rod 234 connected to the opposite side of the bellows relative to rigid tube 18, so that this rod moves linearly in response to expanding motion of the bellows 232. A pillow block 236 is rigidly attached, in turn, to the extending end of actuating rod 234 so that is moves with the rod linearly, driving a spring guide I formed in the obverse face of pillow block 236. Guideways 242, 244, diposed on opposite sides of pillow block 236, insure that movement of pillow block 236 is at all times linear in response to actuation of pushpush mechanism 60'.

Electrical switching of cleaner is accomplished by a switch means 245 including a switch blade 246 that includes oppositely disposed electrically connected contacts 248, 250 (FIG. 23) carried on its one end, with these contacts simultaneously frictionally engaging a pair of blade contacts 252, 254 mounted rigid with housing 190' to close the switch means 245 and place the cleaner 10 in and on condition.

In order to move the switch blade 246 between open and closed blade-contacting, engaging position, the following additional structure is provided. Switch blade 246 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 256 to housing 190' through a bracket 258 fixed to the housing, so as to be swingable through an arc of about 45 as directed by spring guide and thrust rod 238. A peaked portion 260, integral with the switch blade 246, and extending outwardly from its general outline on the spring guide and thrust rod side of the switch blade provides first and second camming surfaces 262, 264 disposed, generally, on opposite sides of the pivot pin 256. The spring guide and thrust rod 238 engage these cam surfaces, alternately, to open and close switch blade 246 against its blade contacts by forcing switch blade 246 to swing in opposite directions.

Spring bias is also provided in the push-push mechanism by a coiled compression spring 266 disposed be-' tween bracket 258 and the opposed end of spring guide and thrust rod 238, with the spring being disposed around spring guide and thrust rod 238 in an axial relationship, and a coiled compression spring 268 situated turn the same on its pivot in a direction opposed to the open or closed position assumed by it.

The operation of the push-push mechanism and switch means will now be detailed. As shown in FIG. 19, switch blade 246 is out of contact with its blade contacts 252, 254 and, therefore, switch means 245 is open. Upon a pressure pulse, motivated by compression of squeeze bulb 230, bellows 232 expands linearly driving spring guide and thrust rod 238 to the right. Spring guide and thrust rod 238 engage cam surface 262 rotating switch blade 246 counter-clockwise until it closes against blade contacts 252, 254 (FIG. Cleaner 10 is now activated because switch means 245 is in an on condition.

Spring 266 now biases pillow block 236 leftwardly, collapsing bellows 232, and aligning the end of spring guide and thrust rod 238 with cam surface 264 (FIG. 21). If the bellows 232 is again expanded by a pressure pulse, it drives actuating rod 234 rightwardly so that the same engages cam surface 264, pivoting switch blade 264 clockwise, to open switch means 245 (FIG. 22) and place cleaner 10 in an of condition. Switch means 245 now remains open until another pressure pulse, the switch blade 246 then again assuming the position illustrated in FIG. 19 as the bellows 232 contracts due to the bias of spring 266.

A manual switch button 74' is also inter-related to push-push mechanism 60' so that it can actuate the same. A slide 272 is connected to this button which moves in a guideway 274 formed in housing to guide the manual switch button in its switch opening and closing moving. An integral tab 276 is formed on the slide 272 in a downwardly depending direction so as to be engageable with pillow block 236 to move it manually. Then, actuation of manual switch button 74 causes pillow block 236 to move linearly moving switch blade 246 into switch opening and closing position.

It should be clear from the foregoing description that the invention accomplishes all the advantages alluded to in the beginning portion of the specifiction and provides a compact and efficient remote control for a floor care appliance. It should also be noted that many modifications could be made to the invention that would still fall within the spirit of it. For example, a rolling diaphragm could be utilized with either of the pistons described in relation to the first embodiment, a piston and a squeeze bulb or a bellows could be combined to perform the remote control task, or a fluid other than air could be used as the transmitting medium for the pressure pulses.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrically operated floor care appliance including;

a. a housing containing a driving motor for said floor care appliance,

b. an electric switch mounted adjacent said motor and having an on and off position for energizing and de-energizing said motor,

c. means for actuating said electric switch, at least a portion of which is remotely disposed relative to said electric switch,

d. said means for actuating said electric swtich including a collapsible chamber and an expansion chamber, at least one of which is manually operable, and a fluid conduit means diposed therebetween and in fluid communication with said col lapsible chamber and said expansion chamber,

e. a handle for said electrically operated floor care appliance,

f. said handle mounting one of said collapsible chamber and said expansion chamber, remote from said floor care appliance housing, and said housing mounting the other of said collapsible and expansion chambers,

g. said handle also carrying at least a portion of said fluid conduit means. extending between said collapsible and expansion chamber,

h. one of said collapsible and expansion chambers providing, upon manual actuation, a pressure wave for operation of the order of said chambers through said fluid conduit means, and

i. means for drivingly connecting one of said expansion and collapsible chambers to said electric switch for moving said electric switch from on and off position to the other of said positions, in response to remote manual operation of that one of said collapsible and expansion chambers mounted with said handle.

2. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 1 wherein;

a. said collapsible chamber is mounted with said handle remote from said housing for said floor care appliance,

b. said expansion chamber is mounted with said housing for said floor care appliance,

c. a suction hose for cleaning purposes is provided attached to said housing, and

d. said conduit means extends from said handle along said suction hose to terminate adjacent said housing for said floor care appliance.

3. An electrically operated floor care appliance including:

a. a housing containing a driving motor for said floor care appliance,

b. a push-push electric switch mounted adjacent said motor and having on and off positions for energizing and de-energizing said motor,

c. means for actuating said electric switch including an expansible chamber situated relatively adjacent said electric switch and a collapsible chamber situated relatively remote from said electric switch,

(1. a handle for said electrically operated floor care appliance,

e. said handle carrying said remotely located collapsible chamber,

f. a fluid conduit structure extending between said expansible chamber and said collapsible chamber, said handle carrying at least a portion of said fluid conduit structure,

g. said collapsible chamber driven in a collapsing direction by means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber so as to produce a pressure pulse flowing down said fluid conduit for momentarily expanding said expansible chamber to initiate actuation of said push-push switch, and

h. said collapsible chamber also being driven in an expanding direction by spring means disposed therein for urging said collapsible chamber into expanded condition after momentary energization of said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction.

4. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 3 wherein;

a. spring means are also provided adjacent said expansible chamber for urging the same in a collapsing direction.

5. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 4 wherein;

a. said spring means for urging said collapsible chamber into expanded condition being of sufficient strength to overcome any pressure differential existing between said expansible chamber, said fluid conduit structure said collapsible chamber, after initiated movement of said expansible chamber by said momentary pressure surge, to move said collapsible chamber to expanded condition after said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber is freed by the operator of said electrically operated floor care appliance.

6. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 5 wherein;

a. spring means are also provided adjacent said expansible chamber for urging the same in a collapsing direction.

7. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 6 wherein;

a. said push-push switch assumes only a pair of positions, said positions being an on position and an off position, and

b. said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction, upon a first momentary movement, acting to urge said electric switch into one of said on and off positions, while a second momentary movement of said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction places said electric switch in the other of said positions. 

1. An electrically operated floor care appliance including; a. a housing containing a driving motor for said floor care appliance, b. an electric switch mounted adjacent said motor and having an on and off position for energizing and de-energizing said motor, c. means for actuating said electric switch, at least a portion of which is remotely disposed relative to said electric switch, d. said means for actuating said electric swtich including a collapsible chamber and an expansion chamber, at least one of which is manually operable, and a fluid conduit means diposed therebetween and in fluid communication with said collapsible chamber and said expansiOn chamber, e. a handle for said electrically operated floor care appliance, f. said handle mounting one of said collapsible chamber and said expansion chamber, remote from said floor care appliance housing, and said housing mounting the other of said collapsible and expansion chambers, g. said handle also carrying at least a portion of said fluid conduit means extending between said collapsible and expansion chamber, h. one of said collapsible and expansion chambers providing, upon manual actuation, a pressure wave for operation of the order of said chambers through said fluid conduit means, and i. means for drivingly connecting one of said expansion and collapsible chambers to said electric switch for moving said electric switch from on and off position to the other of said positions, in response to remote manual operation of that one of said collapsible and expansion chambers mounted with said handle.
 2. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 1 wherein; a. said collapsible chamber is mounted with said handle remote from said housing for said floor care appliance, b. said expansion chamber is mounted with said housing for said floor care appliance, c. a suction hose for cleaning purposes is provided attached to said housing, and d. said conduit means extends from said handle along said suction hose to terminate adjacent said housing for said floor care appliance.
 3. An electrically operated floor care appliance including: a. a housing containing a driving motor for said floor care appliance, b. a push-push electric switch mounted adjacent said motor and having on and off positions for energizing and de-energizing said motor, c. means for actuating said electric switch including an expansible chamber situated relatively adjacent said electric switch and a collapsible chamber situated relatively remote from said electric switch, d. a handle for said electrically operated floor care appliance, e. said handle carrying said remotely located collapsible chamber, f. a fluid conduit structure extending between said expansible chamber and said collapsible chamber, said handle carrying at least a portion of said fluid conduit structure, g. said collapsible chamber driven in a collapsing direction by means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber so as to produce a pressure pulse flowing down said fluid conduit for momentarily expanding said expansible chamber to initiate actuation of said push-push switch, and h. said collapsible chamber also being driven in an expanding direction by spring means disposed therein for urging said collapsible chamber into expanded condition after momentary energization of said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction.
 4. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 3 wherein; a. spring means are also provided adjacent said expansible chamber for urging the same in a collapsing direction.
 5. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 4 wherein; a. said spring means for urging said collapsible chamber into expanded condition being of sufficient strength to overcome any pressure differential existing between said expansible chamber, said fluid conduit structure said collapsible chamber, after initiated movement of said expansible chamber by said momentary pressure surge, to move said collapsible chamber to expanded condition after said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber is freed by the operator of said electrically operated floor care appliance.
 6. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 5 wherein; a. spring means are also provided adjacent said expansible chamber for urging the same in a collapsing direction.
 7. The electrically operated floor care appliance of claim 6 wherein; a. said push-push switch assumes only a pair of positions, said positions being an on position and an off position, and b. said meanS for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction, upon a first momentary movement, acting to urge said electric switch into one of said on and off positions, while a second momentary movement of said means for manually actuating said collapsible chamber in a collapsing direction places said electric switch in the other of said positions. 